Minnesota AG sues Virginia tax debt settlement company

The company, Wall and Associates, Inc., didn't register in the state and collected from customers before fully delivering services, the lawsuit alleges. Minnesota law requires tax debt settlement groups to file with the state and to fully deliver services before collecting payment.

“With the year coming to a close and tax season around the corner, people should be on guard against unlicensed companies that charge thousands of dollars to help with tax problems, but fail to deliver on their promises,” Swanson said in a statement.

On its website, Wall and Associates claimed it was “one of Minnesota’s leading professional tax representation and negotiation firms” and failed to post required disclosures about its services.

In the lawsuit, Swanson said the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota received several complaints about Wall and gave it an F rating.

The state is seeking to bar the company from operating in violation of state law and require it to refund fees paid out by Minnesota residents.

Wall and Associates, Inc. didn't immediately respond to a phone call requesting comment Tuesday morning.

Swanson urged Minnesotans to watch out for other tax debt relief scams.